Complete Buyer’s Manual for the Best Lotion for Baby Dry Skin in 2023

Did you ever just feel jealous of how soft and smooth your little one’s skin is? We always wished to get our skin to look and feel like that again, so we use different products and eat healthy foods. This is also the same for our babies because even though their skin looks and feels amazing, they are also more delicate and prone to different conditions.

Dry skin, in particular, is pretty common among babies. Therefore, we need to make sure that we’re keeping their skin hydrated and nourished to prevent the condition from worsening. And one of the best ways to keep your baby’s skin from drying out is by using lotions.

You might be thinking if it’s necessary to use a different product on your little one. But remember that the ingredients on our products can be potentially harmful to babies. Below, we reviewed the best yet safe and baby-approved lotions for soothing your baby’s dry skin. You can also check out our buyer’s guide to know more about helping your little one in combating the dryness.

Best Lotion for Baby Dry Skin Comparison Table

Lotion	Amount (fl. oz)	Ingredients We Like	Base	Price
California Baby	8.5	Calendula, glycerin, safflower seed oil, basil extract, anise seed extract, evening primrose oil, lavender, clary sage, rosemary extract, aloe vera, and yucca root extract	Water	Check Price
Aveeno Baby	12	Natural colloidal oatmeal and dimethicone	Water	Check Price
Puracy	12	Sunflower oil, aloe vera, shea butter, jojoba seed oil, vegetable glycerin, and vitamin E	Water	Check Price
Cetaphil Baby	13.5	Sunflower oil, almond oil, soja oil, glycerin, and Calendula extract	Water	Check Price
Earth Mama Calming	8	Olive fruit oil, rooibos extract, Calendula extract, shea butter, and oat protein	Aloe vera juice	Check Price
CeraVe Baby	8	Ceramides, dimethicone, and hyaluronic acid	Water	Check Price
Eucerin Baby	13.5	Pro-Vitamin B5 and shea butter	Water	Check Price
Burt's Bees Baby	12	Beeswax, sunflower oil, shea butter, olive fruit oil, grapeseed oil, aloe juice, chamomile extract, Calendula extract, cornflower extract, and rosemary extract	Water	Check Price
Baby Magic Calming	30	Lavender and chamomile extract, and aloe vera	Water	Check Price
Just Hatched Soft	10	Sunflower oil, hydrolyzed milk proteins and oats, aloe extract, cranberry extract, and pomegranate extract	Water	Check Price

Best Lotion for Baby Dry Skin Reviews

California Baby Calendula Everyday – Best Baby Lotion for Newborns

The first product in this list is the Calendula everyday lotion from California Baby. It comes in an 8.5-ounce pump, and this is our recommendation for your newborn’s dry skin.

How is the Formula?

As we have discussed in our buyer’s guide, different brands of lotions also have different types of formulation. Some might be thicker or lighter, and others might be greasier or take too long to get absorbed. Regardless, the texture of the lotion should be comfortable for your baby.

Leaves the Skin Soft

California Baby has a nice consistency because it is thick enough to keep the dry skin moisturized. We notice that the areas like fingers and palms get softer after application. Overall, we have no negatives on the lotion’s consistency.

Now, you might be wondering why this lotion is our top pick for newborns. The reason behind this is that California Baby is safe for sensitive skin. Remember that newborns are more reactive to different products and chemicals, so it’s important only to use a lotion that is gentle and free from any harmful substance.

No Harmful Irritants

California Baby, like all the products in this list, is free from the familiar chemicals that parents hate in any baby product. They include parabens and as well as synthetic fragrances and petroleum-derived ingredients. As you will see throughout this review, we will mention the importance of having no chemicals, especially parabens.

Parabens are sometimes used in a variety of products as a preservative. They are diabolical to the health because of their link to reproductive problems, especially to children. On the other hand, synthetic fragrances really don’t have any benefit other than the fact that they make the lotion and your baby smell great. In fact, they can serve as a respiratory irritant instead, so it’s best to keep baby products fragrance-free.

On the bright side, California Baby’s scent is not from synthetic fragrances, but instead, the brand uses plant-based ingredients such as clary sage essential oils and French lavender. This gives the lotion a pleasant smell without the dangers of petroleum.

You might stumble upon baby lotions that use petroleum-derived products like mineral oil and synthetic fragrances. This is because they are cheaper, but what they do (i.e., mineral oil) prevents the skin from releasing the toxins out of the body.

USDA-Certified Biobased Lotion

And if your little one is allergic to gluten, dairy, soy, oats, and nuts, this lotion is an excellent option. It is also cruelty-free, which is always a plus. You should always check the ingredient list of any baby product if there are potential allergens in it. And if your family is vegan, this lotion uses a vegan USDA-certified biobased formula.

What this certification means is that the lotion comes from plant sources and renewable materials. Therefore, it’s not only cruelty-free, but California Baby is also helping in lessening the negative effects on the environment during their production.

What Makes it Effective for Baby Dry Skin?

The Benefits of Calendula

From the name itself, California Baby is a lotion that uses Calendula extract for its soothing ability. And according to the brand, they have grown the flower themselves. But what is Calendula, and why is it popular for dry skin?

Also known as pot marigold, this flower has compounds that relieves discomfort and soothes dry skin. To give you an idea, marigold has antioxidants, oleanolic acid, triterpenoid, lupeol, quercetin, and both α and β amyrin. We don’t want to overwhelm you with scientific terminologies, but they help promote cellular repair and skin healing, so it is beneficial for babies with dry skin.

Besides Calendula, you’ll also see natural plant extracts in California Baby, such as glycerin and aloe vera, that leaves the skin soft and hydrated. This lotion even has safflower seed oil that contains linoleic acid, which moisturizes the skin by balancing its sebum levels.

Aveeno Baby – Best for Everyday Use

How is the Formula?

When you’re shopping for a baby lotion, you have to consider if you need something for maintaining moisture, preventing dryness, or relieving dryness. With Aveeno Baby, you can opt to use it both for preventing dryness and daily maintenance.

Absorbs Fast

The texture itself feels comfortable on the skin, and we didn’t notice it leaving any greasy film on the skin. And at the same time, it has no ingredients like alcohol, which can dry the skin even further. While alcohol makes lotions lighter, so they get absorbed faster, they can also lead to dryness, which is the opposite of our goal. If you checked Aveeno’s ingredient list, you’ll be pleased that it has no ethanol or alcohol denat.

Hypoallergenic and Chemical-Free

It is also worth noting that Aveeno Baby is a hypoallergenic lotion. And like the previous product, it has no harsh chemicals like synthetic fragrances, dyes, toxins, parabens, phthalates, formaldehydes, steroids, and PEG. We are also happy that this lotion does not contain potential allergens like nuts and dairy.

Lotions don’t need to smell like perfume or look colorful. And like with any baby product, you have to watch out for phthalates, formaldehydes, steroids, and PEG. Phthalates make the lotion more easily absorbable, but there are a number of studies that show their relation to health issues like endocrine system disruption. And of course, the other chemicals we listed are self-explanatory on why we should avoid them for our babies.

The formula is very soothing that you can also use it for eczema. We also recommend this for daily use, especially after bathing to lock the moisture in and prevent the skin from drying out. You will also notice a very faint smell, but we didn’t think it’s harsh. And as we have mentioned earlier, Aveeno does not use any synthetic fragrance anyway, so you don’t have to be worried.

What Makes it Effective for Baby Dry Skin?

Aveeno Baby uses a number of ingredients to keep the skin moisturized. For starters, this lotion has oat kernel flour that helps in keeping the moisture in. Oat kernel flour, or colloidal oatmeal is also popular when it comes to soothing dry skin. In fact, as we have discussed in our buyer’s guide, you can add it to bath time.

Skin Protectant

Aveeno Baby has this ingredient, and it acts as a moisturizer. It can even treat skin irritations such as rashes, and because it leaves the skin soft, it can also soothe the area if it is itchy. We recommend Aveeno Baby for everyday use after bath because it serves as a skin protectant to prevent the skin from further moisture loss.

Another ingredient you’ll find is the silicone, dimethicone. You might be familiar with this ingredient because it is common among skin products as a skin conditioner. Dimethicone is also somewhat similar to oat kernel flour because it locks the hydrating ingredients inside the skin. This ingredient does not make the lotion heavy, but it leaves the skin feeling soft without the need for petroleum-based products.

Another famous ingredient that you’ll find in Aveeno Baby is glycerin. What’s great with this ingredient is that it isn’t synthetically made. Glycerin is naturally-occurring from vegetables and keeps the skin hydrated. The explanation for this is because glycerin is a humectant, which simply means that it draws the moisture towards the outside of your skin. In turn, your baby’s skin will have improved barrier function while also maintaining the moisture outside.

Puracy – Editor’s Choice

Up next on our list is our top choice among this list, and it is the popular baby lotion from Puracy. If you checked its ingredient list, you would appreciate that there are no irritants and harmful ingredients. At the same time, it isn’t too expensive as well, so it’s also great for daily use.

A Little Goes a Long Way

The lotion itself has a creamy consistency, and so a little product goes a long way. It manages to leave the skin feeling smooth and relieve some of the itchiness that we also use on our hands and fingers. However, the pump itself could be better because the lotion is thick. Therefore, if you have a small amount of lotion left in the bottle, you should transfer it to another container because the pump struggles in getting it out.

Hypoallergenic, Vegan, and Biodegradable

As we have been discussing in the previous reviews, baby lotions should be free from any harmful chemicals. Our top choice from Puracy is a hypoallergenic lotion that is a non-toxic and plant-based, which, of course, meant that it is also cruelty-free.

We appreciate that the brand does not only get rid of toxic ingredients, but that they also didn’t test their product on animals. When choosing any product, it is a bonus to get it cruelty-free. And even if your family is not vegan, you might also appreciate the fact that Puracy is even biodegradable, so it’s both baby and environment-friendly.

You should also know that this lotion has been tested by dermatologists and pediatricians to make sure that it won’t irritate your baby’s sensitive skin. Even if you check the ingredients, the alcohols the brand uses are non-drying and safe because they are plant-based. The preservatives of Puracy are also biodegradable to make sure it has no negative impacts on the environment, as well.

Overall, we have noticed improvements on bumpy skin and cradle cap after usage. And while the lotion smells good, it is non-irritating to the nose. But what makes this lotion effective, and why is it well-loved by parents?

What Makes it Effective for Baby Dry Skin?

Puracy uses a number of ingredients to provide hydration. You’ll see ingredients that’ll commonly occur in this list, such as aloe vera, shea butter, sunflower oil, jojoba seed oil, and glycerin.

Familiar Skin-Loving Ingredients

Let’s start first with sunflower oil. Sunflower oil acts as an emollient, which makes it a perfect moisturizer. At the same time, it has a high amount of vitamin E that serves as an antioxidant for healthy skin.

Puracy is also lightweight without leaving a greasy film on the skin because of aloe vera. And of course, we all know how the many skin benefits of this plant, especially in keeping the skin hydrated.

Shea butter, on the other hand, nourishes the skin because of its fatty acids. It soothes dry skin and prevents further dehydration because it also acts as a skin protector. There are alot of reasons why shea butter is a popular ingredient in lotions, and we are pleased that Puracy also takes advantage of this ingredient.

Lastly, jojoba seed oil, is particularly helpful on dry skin that is chaffing and red. If your baby experiences eczema-like symptoms, you can soothe his/her skin with Puracy thanks to its jojoba seed oil content. It also acts as a humectant and kills bacteria to prevent worsening skin conditions.

Cetaphil Baby – Best for Summer Use

When the weather is dry, the skin is also prone to losing moisture. However, it can be uncomfortable for babies if you smother them in lotion that is sticky and takes too long to get absorbed. This is why we found the best lightweight, fast-absorbing lotion for baby dry skin that’s perfect for summer use.

Lightweight Formula

This formula is thinner if you compared it to the other products on this list but still manages to leave the skin hydrated. This is the reason why this is our recommendation for hot weather because it doesn’t leave the skin sticky and uncomfortable. At the same time, it gets absorbed fast, so your baby doesn’t feel icky if it is sweltering hot.

Cetaphil Baby is a well-known brand, especially with their moisturizers. In fact, it’s easy to admit that we grew up seeing and using their bottles in our household. And this daily lotion from Cetaphil Baby is dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic as well similar to our previous products.

It has no parabens, and even though it’s a bit yellowish, it doesn’t have any synthetic colorants. However, this lotion also has a mild scent, which isn’t our favorite, in all honesty. This will still be a matter of personal preference, but we would’ve preferred if Cetaphil just doesn’t have any smell.

What Makes it Effective for Baby Dry Skin?

Humectant and Emollient

We have discussed earlier how Calendula extract is helpful in soothing dry skin without the need for mineral oil. You will also see glycerin among its ingredient list, which we all know is an effective humectant to make sure the exterior part of the skin is hydrated.

Cetaphil Baby also uses sunflower oil, almond oil, and soja oil. We have discussed earlier how sunflower oil serves as the source of vitamin E to keep the skin healthy while also making the lotion non-greasy. But on the other hand, almond oil is also another emollient that you will like seeing in lotions.

In particular, Cetaphil Baby has sweet almond oil that is rich in skin-beneficial vitamins like vitamin E, vitamin A, and as well as omega-3 fatty acids and zinc. Almond oil is actually used as a treatment to soothe skin conditions like eczema, which is a condition that is known to leave the skin dry. This is also the reason why some parents mention that their children’s eczema is more manageable when they use this lotion.

Lastly, soja oil, or soybean oil is another emollient that’s derived from plants. It is beneficial for soothing dry skin because of its antioxidants and fatty acids. However, be sure that your child has no allergy to soybeans.

Earth Mama Calming – Best Soothing Lotion for Baby Dry Skin

Why Does Your Baby Needs Massages?

Massaging your baby is both a bonding and beneficial experience, not just for him/her but also for the parent. In fact, massaging your little one at night time can improve sleep and help him/her relax to sleep better.

Massaging can also improve your little one’s health because it stimulates his/her circulatory and digestive systems. And of course, this bonding act eases muscle tension and stimulate growth. So if your little one has dry skin, or you just want to keep his/her skin moisturized and healthy, the best soothing lotion in the market is from Earth Mama.

How is the Formula?

Earth Mama calming lotion feels lightweight on the skin, and the smell doesn’t lingers for too long that it irritates the nasal passages. However, we would’ve still preferred it if the lotion is scent-free. But overall, we still like the consistency because it is creamy enough to use to massage and the light smell is somewhat relaxing thanks to lavender and vanilla.

ANSI 305-Certified

More than the good consistency, Earth Mama is a clinically-tested lotion that’s also certified to the NSF/ANSI 305 Standard. This certification simply means that 70% of this lotion’s ingredients are organic. We will always be more fond of organic baby products because they are free from synthetic and chemically-ingredients that can cause adverse reactions and health issues.

What Makes it Effective for Baby Dry Skin?

Relaxing and Soothing

As for the ingredients, Earth Mama is an effective calming lotion because of lavender and vanilla. The blend of these two are not only great because of the smell but also because they are skin-loving. At the same time, did you know that they can also soothe dry skin? Lavender can reduce inflammation, which is why you can also use it to treat eczema and psoriasis.

Earth Mama also uses familiar ingredients like calendula extract and shea butter to keep the skin moisturized and prevent further dehydration. And if you checked the ingredient list, you’ll find olive fruit oil, rooibos extract, and oat protein as well.

Olive fruit oil, like most fruit oil included in lotions, works as an emollient. Its fatty acid content relieves dry skin, while also serving as a barrier to protect the skin against harmful environmental damages.

Rooibos extract, on the other hand, helps in skin repair because of its antioxidative properties. Any natural ingredient that helps in skin repair will always be beneficial for dry skin, especially if the dry skin developed cracks. And lastly, we all know that oat protein supports the skin barrier function to help it heal faster and soothe the dryness.

CeraVe Baby – Best for Dry Skin and Eczema

We are halfway through our review, and what we have here comes from the popular brand, CeraVe. From the name itself, this lotion works its magic with the help of ceramides. We have reviewed the thicker cream version of this lotion for babies with eczema, and we noticed similarities between the two.

Non-Greasy and Non-Toxic

The formula itself of CeraVe baby lotion is not greasy. If you compare it to the cream, the lotion is definitely more lightweight on the skin. We also like that the brand gave the lotion no scent. And speaking of additives, you can feel confident because CeraVe is free from parabens, phthalates, and even sulfates that can cause cancer.

Suitable for Eczema

Like the other products in this review, this lotion has the approval of dermatologists. And while we have a separate guide for parents with babies suffering from asthma, it is worth noting that this lotion is also safe for that condition. CeraVe has the seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association. This is the reason why we recommend this product if your baby has eczema.

More than dry skin, eczema also leads to red patches that can get inflamed and crack. You can relieve the discomfort safely with CeraVe or check our review of the best products for eczema in our buyer’s guide.

What Makes it Effective for Baby Dry Skin?

Strengthens the Skin Barrier

CeraVe is known for using ceramides in their skin products. In particular, this lotion uses the 3 essential ceramides, which are 1, 3, and 6-II. But what do ceramides do to the skin? Ceramides are good for the skin because they help strengthen the skin’s barrier.

In return, the skin will have an easier way of retaining moisture while also being protected from environmental irritants. CeraVe will replenish the lost lipid molecules (i.e., ceramides) to keep the skin moisturized and healthy.

Leaves the Skin Smooth

You will also find another familiar ingredient, which is dimethicone, in this lotion. As we have discussed earlier, dimethicone helps to smoothen the skin and to lock the moisture in to relieve the skin of irritations.

The Advantage of Hyaluronic Acid

Lastly, this lotion also has hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is also another popular ingredient for skincare. It can be used to fight the signs of aging, like lessening the appearance of wrinkles. At the same time, hyaluronic acid is excellent for combatting dry skin. This is because it binds to water, which in turn, helps the skin retain moisture much easier. It makes the skin healthier and more supple, and can even speed up wound healing.

Eucerin Baby – Runner-Up Favorite

Up next in the list is Eucerin Baby. This lotion is our runner-up recommendation after Puracy. It is effective for a lot of babies when it comes to relieving dry skin without causing any negative reactions. At the same time, it is also fairly affordable, so you can use it for daily use without hurting the budget.

How is the Formula?

Eucerin Baby has a light formula without any fragrance. This is one of the reasons why we ranked it pretty high. It absorbs fast into the skin, but it also leaves no synthetic smell. We also found that this is one of the most gentle lotions on this list because you can use it on your baby’s face. Overall, Eucerin works as an excellent post-bath lotion for everyday use. It leaves the skin soft and soothes the dryness upon application.

Hypoallergenic

Eucerin Baby is hypoallergenic, which means that it is free from ingredients that can cause potential allergic reactions. At the same time, the brand uses no alcohol, so it wouldn’t cause dryness. And like the previous products, Eucerin has no parabens and additives like fragrances and dyes that can cause irritations.

What Makes it Effective for Baby Dry Skin?

What is Panthenol?

One of the star ingredients of Eucerin is that it hydrates the skin using pro-vitamin B5. Pro-vitamin B5, or panthenol, offers a lot of benefits for the skin. It acts as a humectant similar to glycerin, which is also included in this lotion.

As we have discussed earlier, humectants will attract and retain water, so the skin is moisturized. This pro-vitamin also improves the function of the skin barrier to minimize water loss. In turn, dry and rough skin will get replenished and restore its softness and elasticity.

You are also probably familiar with the ever-famous skin product that is shea butter. It is both a humectant and emollient without clogging the pores or causing any irritations. This makes this ingredient an excellent moisturizer because it is suitable for all skin types. For babies, shea butter is one of the safest moisturizers that you can use.

Burt’s Bees Baby – Best Value for Money

Burt’s Bees is also among the popular brands when it comes to skin care. This lotion, in particular, is one of the best ones that you can get in the market because of its natural ingredients. It also doesn’t hurt your diaper budget, but it’s still effective in soothing dry skin.

How is the Formula?

Burt’s Bees has a nice, creamy texture that goes and spreads well over the skin. However, if we have any negative comments, we would’ve preferred if the brand made the lotion fragrance-free since some parents may not like the sweet smell.

Pediatricians have tested the safety of this lotion. And other than that, you will see that most of its ingredients are extracts from plants. There are no irritants and allergens since this lotion is hypoallergenic as well.

What Makes it Effective for Baby Dry Skin?

Even if your baby’s skin isn’t itchy, this lotion will still help in relieving the discomfort if you moisturize the areas. Burt’s Bees does not just moisturize the skin, but it also locks the moisture in. You will find the ingredients that we loved in the pricier products earlier, including sunflower oil, olive fruit oil, shea butter, aloe vera juice, and calendula extract.

All-Natural Ingredients

At the same time, Burt’s Bees uses beeswax instead of the more dangerous petroleum-based products. Beeswax are typically used in lotions because it serves as the barrier for the skin. This is why it is used for chapsticks as well to protect dry skin from the environment while also sealing the moisture in.

The other ingredients in this lotion that are worth mentioning are grapeseed oil, chamomile extract, cornflower extract, and rosemary extract. First, grapeseed oil is beneficial for the skin because it improves moisture retention while also helping vitamins A and C. In return, the skin becomes softer and healthier. It is also an excellent antioxidant to protect the skin.

Your baby’s dry skin will also recover thanks to chamomile extract and cornflower extract. Both these flowers not only smell good and look good, but they actually boost healing that they are well-known to treat conditions like eczema. This is because they have components that reduce inflammation and moisturize the skin. And lastly, did you know that rosemary extract is also beneficial for the skin? If your baby has sensitive skin, rosemary can help unclog the skin’s pores and even treat conditions like eczema. 

Baby Magic Calming – Best for Night Time Use

We are down to our last two baby lotions, and if you loved the Earth Mama lotion earlier, we think you’ll also consider this product. Baby Magic calming lotion comes in a cute purple pump, and that gives away its star ingredient that is lavender and chamomile.

How is the Formula?

Baby Magic has a rich formula that doesn’t leave a grease film over the skin. It gets absorbed pretty quickly, but it is also easy to spread. It is also hypoallergenic and free from chemical additives like dyes and carcinogenic substances.

Relaxing for Night-Time

However, one of the significant reasons why this lotion is great for bedtime use is because it is soothing. Baby Magic soothes dry skin, and the lavender and chamomile extracts also help in relaxing your baby so that he/she falls asleep better. We think the smell is indeed calming, and we appreciate that it doesn’t smell too overpowering. Overall, even us parents find the lotion relaxing and night time massages are more enjoyable while also helping the skin to get hydrated.

What Makes it Effective for Baby Dry Skin?

We’ve noticed that Baby Magic is effective in soothing dry skin and leaving the skin feeling softer. It has aloe vera, which we all know is the “og” skin moisturizer. Aloe vera is rich in vitamins, and its gel-like consistency makes it immediately hydrating on dry skin. This extract can alleviate conditions like eczema and psoriasis, and moisturizes dry skin without clogging the pores.

They are Not Just for Tea

Now, let’s talk about the lavender and chamomile extracts. Baby Magic takes advantage of these two great-smelling flowers. We have discussed earlier how lavender can decrease inflammation and relieve the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis. At the same time, lavender can speed up the healing process of irritations and soothe the discomfort, such as itchiness of dry skin.

On the other hand, chamomile is also a useful skincare product more than being a relaxing tea. It is also anti-inflammatory and has compounds that can fight off skin irritants and pathogens. If your little one has dry skin, his/her skin can recover faster because of Baby Magic’s antioxidative properties. And after all, wouldn’t a good night of sleep a significant factor for getting healthy skin?

Just Hatched Soft – Best Affordable Lotion for Dry Skin

When shopping for baby products, we like to prioritize the quality over price. However, you can still stick to your budget but keep your little one’s skin healthy and moisturized. Just Hatched is a cute-looking baby lotion that is affordable yet safe and hydrating for your baby’s skin.

How is the Formula?

If you need something that feels creamy without any strong smell, you’ll appreciate this lotion from Just Hatched. But most importantly, it is hypoallergenic as well, so you know that it is safe for your baby’s sensitive skin.

Even if this lotion is affordable, Just Hatched still doesn’t use parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. This way, you know that you’re using a non-toxic lotion. At the same time, the brand is gluten-free and cruelty-free similar to our vegan products earlier.

What Makes it Effective for Baby Dry Skin?

Milk and Fruits?

Just Hatched relieves dry skin but also protects it to keep the moisture locked in. Throughout our review, we’ve talked about the advantage of using a product that not just hydrates the skin, but also improves the barrier to prevent moisture loss. This is also true to Just Hatched because of its ingredients such as sunflower oil and aloe vera. However, let us focus on the other inclusions like hydrolyzed milk proteins and oats, and extracts from cranberry and pomegranate.

Hydrolyzed milk proteins help in increasing skin hydration. This means that using Just Hatched after bathing will help your baby’s skin to lock the moisture in. They also improve the elasticity of the skin so the dry skin can recover faster and restore its state. On the other hand, cranberry extract is rich in vitamin A and C.

What can it do for your baby’s skin? More than being an antioxidant, cranberry extract also boosts collagen production. This soothes the skin and restores its elasticity, so it will be easier for it to stay hydrated and healthy.

Lastly, pomegranate extract is also an antioxidant that has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties to help dry skin recover faster. It will also relieve the discomfort if your baby’s skin is itchy, while the antibacterial properties will prevent infection of organisms.

Buyer’s Guide

Why Does My Baby Have Dry Skin?

It’s normal and will eventually subside for babies to have dry skin after birth. However, there are also other factors that can cause dry skin. The most common one is when you bathe your little one too often. This is because soap gets rid of the natural oils in the skin. Therefore, if your baby already has dry skin, it will be harder for his/her skin to remain moisturized.

Dry skin can also be a symptom in conditions such as eczema or rarely, ichthyosis. The former is also common in babies, as we have discussed in this guide. You can read in there the causes of eczema, which are also related to making babies prone to having dry skin. The latter, on the other hand, is not as common but is still a potential cause of dry skin. Nonetheless, we recommend checking with your child’s doctor if your baby’s symptoms seem to get worse.

Lastly, another factor that can affect your baby’s skin is the weather itself. You will notice that your little one’s skin is drier, especially during the months where the air lacks moisture than usual, or if there is low humidity.

Symptoms of Dry Skin in Babies

Your baby’s skin is dry when it is noticeably rough and flaky. It is typically around their elbows and knees, as well as their faces. And if he/she has eczema, it may also be itchy with red patches.

If it is itchy, the skin will develop cracks that bleed because your baby will try to scratch the area. It can be problematic because it becomes an open wound that can get infected. If the condition is progressing without any improvements, it is best to see your doctor to get the appropriate treatment.

What Can You Do to Soothe a Baby’s Dry Skin

• You don’t have to bathe your baby frequently to keep the skin’s natural oils. And if you do, make it short at around 10 minutes. You should also stick to a gentle soap and lukewarm water because they are less drying. Some parents even swear in using colloidal oatmeal or oatmeal-infused water as a soothing solution for their baby’s skin. But if you’re thinking of bubble baths, it’s a no because they can be irritating to a baby’s delicate skin.

Once you’re done, make sure to pat the skin dry gently without rubbing to prevent chapping. Remember that a baby’s skin is softer compared to ours. Always work with a light hand.

• Besides baths, your laundry detergent on your little one’s clothes can also irritate his/her skin. The reaction can lead to dryness or itching, so be aware only to use a detergent that is safe and hypoallergenic.

• Keep the room’s air from getting dry by adding moisture using a humidifier. There are months that feel drier than usual, which can worsen dry skin. Our review here are baby-approved humidifiers, and you can check our tips on how to find the best one for your nursery.

• Hot weather is not the only culprit for dry skin. Cold temperature can also wick away the moisture on your baby’s skin, so make sure to use lotions or emollients to keep the skin moisturized. You should also wear hats and mittens, especially when you and your baby are going outside.

• Maintaining the skin moisturized is the best way to combat dry skin. You can keep your little one hydrated by not skipping on meals. And of course, make sure that after every bath or when the skin tends to get dry, use a baby-safe lotion to keep the skin moisturized.

Why is Lotion Effective for Baby Dry Skin?

There are many over the counter products that you can use to soothe your baby’s dry skin. They range from oils, ointments, creams, and lotions. Ointments have more oil compared to its water content, while lotions are less thicker than creams. Lotions are great, especially after bath when your baby’s skin is still damp. Not only will this keep the areas from drying out, but the lotion also acts as a barrier to keep the moisture in.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Lotion for Baby Dry Skin

• Type of Dry Skin

As we have discussed earlier on, there are different factors that can contribute to drying your baby’s skin. You can also start from knowing the cause, so you can choose the lotion that’s appropriate for the condition.

For example, some brands are excellent for daily maintenance. These products usually work for preventing dry skin from happening and is more for keeping the skin hydrated. However, if the skin already has reactions like flaking or rashes, you should find a lotion that can treat those conditions. Check the ingredients and the intended use of the lotion to prevent worsening the situation.

• Formulation

While oils, ointments, creams, and lotions have different formulations, lotions can also differ in their texture. Some might be light enough to absorb quicker, while others can last longer on the skin. Consider if you need it to be waterproof or if reapplication is not a problem.

• Ingredients

Lastly, the lotions in this list generally differ in their ingredients that can help in relieving dry skin. For example, you can see that almost all the products have water listed first in the ingredient list. This is important because the lotion will be less greasier and also be more hydrating.

Throughout the review, you’ll find why each ingredient works for soothing dry skin. But it is your job to find if there are any potential inclusion that can cause a skin reaction towards your baby. We have only reviewed safe products, but each baby can still react to an ingredient differently.

To be safe, you can opt for a hypoallergenic lotion because they are gentle and free from any potential allergic ingredients. At the same time, we think you’ll prefer those with natural ingredients like flower oils and extracts.

On the contrary, lotions with fragrance, mineral oils, parabens, and phthalates can be irritating, so it’s best that you avoid them. But don’t worry because every product on this list is safe for your baby.

Conclusion

While dry skin is not a worrisome condition, it is still better to make sure that our little one’s skin stays hydrated. Different factors come into play when choosing the best lotion for baby dry skin, but our favorite is the one from Puracy.

It has a creamy consistency that immediately soothes dehydrated skin. At the same time, it is vegan and hypoallergenic, so you know that it is free from chemicals and carcinogens.

Nonetheless, all the products we listed above are safe and have no dangerous chemicals used in them. You can also leave a comment below if you want to know more.